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Cameron Jerome (L) of Crystal Palace battles for ball with Dejan Lovren (R) of Southampton during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Crystal Palace at St Mary's Stadium on September 28, 2013 in Southampton, England.

On Saturday at Anfield, Liverpool have the chance to go back to the top of the Premier League table when they host Crystal Palace (10am ET, watch live on NBCSN and online via NBC Sports Live Extra).

The Reds comfortably beat Sunderland last weekend, and could momentarily jump two points ahead of Arsenal with a win.

Brendan Rodgers‘ side will be favorites against the Eagles, and Palace’s season really has been a struggle so far. Ian Holloway’s men have lost five of their opening six games, with the lone victory coming at home against basement side Sunderland. Surely the South London outfit can’t go to Anfield and grab a win?

On average, Liverpool have scored their first goal in the 19th minute of games. The quickest in the PL.

Crystal Palace have made more tackles than any other side, 146.

Steven Gerrard has create more goalscoring chances from set pieces (8) than any other PL player

Liverpool have switched their tactics around slightly, and have been looking extremely solid in a 3-5-2 formation since Luis Suarez‘ return from suspension. The Uruguayan scored twice against Sunderland on his PL return, and his partnership with Daniel Sturridge could prolong Liverpool’s challenge at the top of the table.

Lucas Leiva is missing for the Reds through suspension, while Glen Johnson, Aly Sissokho and Joe Allen are all out but should return after the international break. Palace could welcome back winger Yannick Bolasie and defenders Patrick McCarthy, Damien Delaney and Johnathan Parr.

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What they’re saying

Brendan Rodgers on facing a defensive Palace side: “In the modern game, teams are set up defensively well. Tactically, there is limited space – especially at home. You have to be patient, teams aren’t going to just turn up and roll over. Especially if you don’t get an early goal – a goal in that first 20-25 minutes – then it can be difficult. However, we’re a team that’s evolving and starting to understand that side of football; with every attack, you can’t score.”

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard: “Managers are only ever eight to 10 games away from the sack, so to take risks on unknown young players is difficult. There’s no two ways about it, it’s a lot more difficult to break through nowadays because of the standard of players and because there is a lot more foreigners about.”

Crystal Palace midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi: “The confidence is still there. No-one is letting their heads drop – despite the last few results – and we know that one match and one good result can make all the difference. We always expected things to be tough in the Premier League because we are up against the best teams in the country – but we have time to turn things around. Our aim is to be out of the relegation zone before January because we have a run of matches coming up where we can definitely pick up points.”

Prediction

This result is not in question, at all. Sorry Palace fans, but this is a Liverpool home win all day long. The Reds are serious about keeping themselves at the top of the table, and they will have to ruthlessly dispatch sides like Palace to at least make the top four and qualify for the Champions League. I expect Suarez and Sturridge’s burgeoning partnership to create havoc for the newly-promoted side. A big win coming up for the Merseyside club.